Aaranyak-BAT installs solar lights in hotspots of human-elephant conflict

Aaranyak-BAT installs solar lights in hotspots of human-elephant conflict

With support from the British Asian Trust, Aaranyak is taking a community-centric approach to address human-elephant conflict in six high incidence districts of Assam and Meghalaya, where over 90 people have lost their lives in the last six months.

“Aaranyak is working with local communities to create change which helps protect both people and elephants,” says Aaranyak’s senior scientist Dr Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar.

Most of the villages affected by elephants are located in remote parts of the state with poor roads, communication, inadequate electricity connection and erratic power supply.

Villagers, especially women and children, are often scared of going out of their houses after dusk in fear of encountering wild elephants that may have strayed into their villages. Lack of lighting facilities make those nights eerie.

Prominent research-based biodiversity conservation organisation of the region, Aaranyak (www.aaranyak.org), in collaboration with Assam Forest Department, has been working on mitigating human-elephant conflicts in several parts of Assam through various measures taking the community along.

Besides organising sensitization campaigns for the community and other stakeholders on how to go about mitigating the conflict, and supplementing livelihood of the conflict-affected people, Aaranyak has installed solar-powered fencing in hotspots where there has been conflict between people and wild elephants. Solar lights have also been installed in some villages so villagers can sight wild elephants from a safe distance at night and take immediate measures to remain safe and protect their lives and property as much as possible.

With support from the British Asian Trust via a UK Government Darwin initiative grant, Aaranyak is delivering a project promoting coexistence of human beings and wild elephants in some of the conflict hotspot, an additional 90 solar street lights have been purchased for some of the areas in eastern Assam.

Seventy-three solar street lights have already been installed in villages in Jorhat, Sivasagar, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, with 17 more such lights to be installed in Majuli district.

In Jorhat district, solar street lights have been installed in the following villages: Sagunpara (7 units), Hatisal (5), Sumani Chapori (1), Major Chapori (1), Bejorchiga (5), Koibartagarh (1).

In Sadia sub-division of Tinsukia district solar street lights have been set up in Padumfula (5), Na-Basa Gaon (4), No. 2 Bacha Gaon (5), Hallow Gaon (1).

India’s Northeast region, a part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, is home to over 20 percent of Asia’s wild elephants’ population. Loss of habitat and encroachment into forest areas bring elephants and human beings into contact that leads to conflict as they compete for the same space.

The British Asian Trust’s conservation work focused on protecting wildlife and their habitats, with reducing conflict between people and wildlife a key area of focus. The charity has partnered with Aaranyak to work with local communities to find solutions that work for both people and wildlife.

The post Aaranyak-BAT installs solar lights in hotspots of human-elephant conflict appeared first on Vietexplorer.com.

View more from VietExplorer:

South Phu Quoc emerges as new resort paradise
Tearful Messi confirms he is leaving Barcelona, in talks with PSG
Magical breeding season of sea turtles in Bay Canh Island
Online Exhibition “Education of the Nguyen Dynasty – Remaining Echoes” debuts
Top 10 Most-Watched Movies on Netflix in August, 2021
Thua Thien – Hue Province promotes brand of “The capital of Ao Dai”
Why Should You Be Eating Sweet Potatoes Every Day
Photo: 60-year-old Green Bamboo Forest in Mu Cang Chai
Original drafts of Vietnam’s national emblem on display
A typical Vietnamese shrimp dish
SUP Surfing on Huong River: Admiring Hue from New Angles
Messi signs for Paris St Germain after leaving Barcelona
Many generations of military directors participate in documentary film on Vietnam’s resistance wars
Top Indoor Exercises to Stay Active for Men and Women
Traditional Medicine in Vietnam’s Healthcare System
Special Attentive ‘Moms’ at Covid-19 Quarantine Center
Deputy PM Dam inspects COVID-19 response in Ho Chi Minh City
Ten Lovely Things To Buy As Souvenirs In Vietnam
Majestic Ta Dung
Discover the Attractiveness of Thung Nham Bird Garden

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Red Vermicelli: Dak Lak’s Delicious Delicacy

Vietnam Voted In Top 5 Most Attractive Destinations In Asia

Stunning Vietnamese landscapes in 35AWARDS Photography Award 2023